What Happens if I am Injured in a Rideshare Accident in New York City?

If you’re injured in a rideshare accident in New York City, the recovery process is similar to other car accidents. First, call 911 to get medical help and summon the police. Then, contact your insurer and a lawyer to start your compensation claim.

However, rideshare accidents have quirks that can complicate getting compensation. Working with a rideshare accident lawyer in New York City is the best way to avoid these quirks that can slow your compensation down. Here’s what to know.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Rideshare Accident?

If you’re involved in a rideshare accident in New York City, take these immediate steps:

• Ensure safety: Check yourself and others for injuries. If possible, move to a safe area away from traffic.
  
• Call 911: Report the accident to the police and request medical assistance if needed.
  
• Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles involved, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses.
  
• Speak with the police: Give the facts about what happened to the police and ask how to get a copy of the report.
  

• See a doctor: If you haven’t seen a doctor, do so as soon as possible to check for hidden injuries and document visible ones. Follow their advice.

After this, it’s time to contact a car accident lawyer in NYC with experience in rideshare accidents. You may need to report the accident to the rideshare company or your own insurer, depending on whether you were a third-party driver, a rideshare passenger, or a rideshare driver.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage

New York is a no–fault state, which means that regardless of who caused the accident, your initial compensation will come from Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This normally covers both drivers and their passengers. PIP coverage typically includes:

• Medical expenses: This covers necessary medical treatment related to your injuries.
  
• Lost wages: PIP can cover a portion of your lost income if you’re unable to work due to your injuries.
  
• Other reasonable expenses: This may include transportation to medical appointments or household help necessitated by your injuries.

It’s important to note that PIP coverage has limits. In New York, the minimum PIP coverage is $50,000, though some policies may offer higher limits. If your injuries meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold or your economic losses exceed your PIP limits, you may be able to pursue additional compensation.

This could include:

• Additional medical expenses: For ongoing or future medical treatment not covered by PIP.
  
• Lost earning capacity: If your injuries impact your ability to work long-term.
  
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress, which PIP does not cover.
  
• Property damage: If your personal property was damaged in the accident.

How do Rideshare Companies Cover Drivers and Passengers?

It depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident:

• App off: If the driver’s app is off, their personal auto insurance applies.
  
• App on, waiting for a ride: The rideshare company provides limited liability coverage similar to a standard PIP policy.
  
• En route to pick up or during a ride: The rideshare company’s full commercial insurance policy applies.

Therefore, if you were injured in a rideshare accident in NYC and you were a passenger, you have many routes to compensation. A car accident lawyer in NYC can sort out which policies must pay you and how much you need for a fair settlement value.

If the rideshare company accepts your claim, you may get more compensation. Rideshare companies must carry at least $1 million in insurance per accident. That is enough to cover most crash injuries.

Will the Rideshare Company Cover my Damages?

Though you may have been a passenger, a rideshare company may refuse to cover your damages for other reasons. The most common is if they think your driver’s PIP coverage will cover your accident.

Policies owned by Uber, Lyft, and similar companies only activate when drivers do not have enough insurance to cover accidents. They won’t pay more unless you prove that you are owed more than your driver’s policy limit.

Working with a rideshare accident lawyer is an excellent way to do that. A lawyer can help you raise your compensation, sometimes significantly. With a strong case, they can tap into the much larger policies carried by rideshare companies.

How Long do I Have to File a Claim After a Rideshare Accident?

In New York, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you should start your insurance claim and speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

• Evidence can disappear or become less reliable over time.
  
• Witnesses’ memories may fade.
  
• There may be shorter deadlines for filing claims with insurance companies.

Don’t risk losing your right to compensation by delaying. As soon as you have spoken with the police and gotten medical treatment, contact Morelli Law for a free consultation about your situation.

Protect Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident

Being injured in a rideshare accident in New York City is confusing enough, but rideshare accidents are still new enough that many don’t know what to do afterward. Don’t let confusion about these accidents deter you from seeking legal help.

Contact Morelli Law Firm today for a free consultation. Let us use our proven track record of success to help you.